Goldberg Coins and Collectibles

Sale 46

The Millennia Collection

Spanish Netherlands

Lot	Photo	Description	Realized
Lot 836		Spanish Netherlands. Double Show Thaler, ND (c. 1586-1598), Brabant (Brussels). Delm-88. Philip II, 1555-1598. Crowned and cuirassed bust to right. Reverse: Crowned shield, Order of Golden Fleece around. Slight reverse planchet flaw, otherwise well struck with artistic toning. Excellent portrait. A really Choice example, and very rare. NGC graded AU-55. The Portuguese shield is found on the reverse of this great rarity. Philip claimed the Portuguese throne upon the death of King Sebastian in 1580. His mother, Isabella, was a princess of Portugal. Interestingly enough, Philip was raised by Portuguese tutors and spoke Portuguese as his native tongue. Here we see one of the finest portraits of any majesty of any country issuing money during the Renaissance -- far more realistic than any portrait might have been a mere century earlier. Estimated Value $10,000 - 12,500. Illustrated in Money of The World, coin 91. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $18,975
Lot 837		Spanish Netherlands -- The Brabant. Ducaton, 1619 (Brussels). Dav-4428; Delm-249. Albert and Isabelle, 1598-1621. Conjoined busts right. Reverse: Crowned crest supported by compressed lions. Handsomely toned with bright hues of lilac and mauve against a darker gray base, the strike exceptional, producing superb dual portraits, therefore unusually choice for issue. NGC graded MS-61. Albert and Isabella introduced two new silver coin denominations during their tenure. The second, the above ducaton, appeared in 1618. A heavy coin of finer alloy, it was tariffed at 60 stuivers. It and their lighter patagon flowed northward in vast quantities to Amsterdam and the other Dutch cities. Antwerp and the entire Spanish Netherlands was now in decline, with its trade ruined and being supplanted by Amsterdam. Yet there were such quantities of money at hand, plus whatever stored wealth that had managed to be preserved, that the city would support an important financial and banking community for another sixty years. The portraits seen here, with the monarchs dressed in heavy ruffs, is sheer Renaissance in execution and style. Estimated Value $1,200 - 1,500. Ex Irving Goodman Collection. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $3,105
Lot 838		Spanish Netherlands. 3 Ducatones, 1658. Dav-4452; Delm-285B. 98.08 grams. Brussels mint. Philip IV. Cuirassed bust to right. Reverse: Two lions supporting crowned shield. Broad flan of handsome light silver color with lilac hues, a few typical minor flaws but the legends are complete and well detailed, as is the portrait. Very rare. (Too large for holder). NGC graded EF-45. In the late 15th century, France under Louis XI seized Burgundy and Picardy, and was preparing to annex the area generally known then as the Spanish Netherlands, which had been part of the dowry of Mary of Burgundy, daughter of Charles the Bold of Burgundy. His death in 1477 prompted the French into action. Mary rebuffed the French king's insistence that she marry his son the dauphin, choosing instead to ally herself and her lands with Maximilian of Austria, later Holy Roman Emperor Maximilian I. This union was a major event in European history. Through it the Hapsburgs were established in the Low Countries. This, one of their large silver coins, contrasts starkly in artistry with the crowns of England's Oliver Cromwell, struck in exactly the same year. Estimated Value $3,500 - 4,000. Ex Irving Goodman Collection. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $6,038
Lot 839		Spanish Netherlands. Double Ducaton, 1679 (Brabant). Dav-4474; Delm-325A. 64.40 grams. Antwerp mint. Charles II. Draped bust to right. Reverse: Two lions supporting crowned shield. Rare. An exceptional example, well formed on a round flan of good metal, the portrait dramatic, details and especially legends sharp overall as shown, the toning light and appealing, in hues of silvery lilac. NGC graded EF-45. Even though individually rare, the survival of many of the multiple ducatons certainly provides a glimpse of the wealth that was amassed in this area, even as it was being ravaged by war. The holdings were a constant financial drain for Spain, with their ruler's grandiose schemes and ventures -- especially Charles V's and his son, Philip II's, attempts to "re-Christianize" central and northern Europe through force of arms. The efforts generated prodigious costs, and the region became the pit into which a considerable amount of the New World's mined wealth poured. Estimated Value $2,000 - 2,500. Ex Irving Goodman Collection. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $4,140
Lot 840		Spanish Netherlands. Double Ducaton, 1694 (Flanders). Dav-4487; Delmonte-340a. Bruges mint. 64.98 grams. Charles II of Spain. Draped armored bust with long flowing hair right. Reverse: Crowned crest supported by lions. Toned an interesting mix of gray and mauve, evenly distributed, the portrait strong for this type, nice flan without major flaws. Extremely rare. NGC graded AU-55. Charles II, King of Spain, Naples and Sicily, ruled from 1665 to 1700. Son and successor to Philip IV, he was physically crippled and mentally retarded. His mother, Mariana of Austria, ruled for him as regent, even after he came of age. This reign saw the continued decline of Spain's power and prestige. The flow of bullion from the New World had been declining since the time of his father, Philip IV, and the lack of silver continued to play havoc with Spain's economy. Tax exemptions for privileged groups and especially the clergy remained firmly entrenched, while taxes on industry and agriculture were doubled. Spain's unhappy situation caused a significant upswing in emigration. Before his death, the childless Charles named Philip of Anjou as heir and successor. This in turn provoked another war to add to Spain's burden. Estimated Value $2,000 - 2,500. Ex Irving Goodman Collection. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $4,255